Flight Purpose
According to the president of Aero Atlanta Flight Center, the flight was intended for a check-out of a second flight instructor in the PA-32R-301. The flight center president noted that such a flight would typically include normal and emergency procedures, landings, slow flight, stalls, and steep turns.
Witness Observations
A witness located approximately two miles from the accident site reported hearing an airplane engine noise that sounded "wide open." The witness then heard two very loud pops, followed by silence. Another witness, who held pilot and mechanic ratings, reported that the airplane sounded "... like it was doing a loop or some kind of high G-load maneuver." Multiple witnesses reported seeing the airplane fall from the sky in pieces.
Examination Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction of the engine, propeller, or flight controls. The outboard sections of both wings and the stabilator were found separated. Fracture surfaces from the left wing main spar, right wing main spar, and stabilator were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory for metallurgical examination. The laboratory report stated there was no evidence of pre-existing cracking or damage, and the fracture characteristics were consistent with overstress separations. The report specified that "Fracture, damage, and deformation patterns indicated upward loading on both wings at the time of fracture" and "Fracture, damage, and deformation patterns on the horizontal stabilator indicated downward bending overstress separations."